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Post by mlehman on Mar 30, 2014 4:15:06 GMT -8
Hope spring is just around the corner for most of us. It's due to be a beautiful day here. Speaking of daytime, let's start with a pic of the new office and front gate for the ASARCO smelter in Durango. It's a bashed Rix #202 Maxwell Avenue Home.  Of course it has lighting for when the sun goes down.   I also added more platform lighting at the station in Durango.  And word has just come from the control tower at the airport that the new, used plane the miner's union purchased as an air ambulance and all-around beer and logistics fetcher will arrive shortly after an overnight flight from California...   Thanks for flying her in, Scotty! |
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Post by dti406 on Mar 30, 2014 5:47:30 GMT -8
Managed to get some cars done again this week!  Atlas (Ex Branchline Yardmaster) 1937 AAR Boxcar, I bought the decal then looked up in my library and this was the newest 40' boxcar in the WM Fleet, so that is why I used this car. I replaced the cast on grabs with Ticky Wire Grabs and replaced the Cast Sill Steps with A-line Sill Steps, painted the car with Scalecoat II Boxcar Red and lettered with Champ Decals.  Atlas 2003CF PS Covered Hopper Kit, painted with Scalecoat II MofW Gray and lettered with Champ Decals.  Intermountain Railway 50' PS1 Boxcar, enlarged the door opening to accept a 10' Plug Door, added Walthers Cushion Coupler Pockets and A-Line Sill Steps. Painted with Scalecoat II Boxcar Red and Black Paint, lettered with Oddballs Decals. Thanks for looking! Rick J |
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Post by rockisland652 on Mar 30, 2014 7:00:50 GMT -8
You all know that I like to tell a story with pictures, or at least have a theme. There is only one thing that links these pictures, and that would be the incredible talent of John Tyson ('onequiknova'). He brought over some samples of his scratchbuilt 2500 series commuter cars ('Capone' cars) for a test run from Joliet to Blue Island and back. What better power for the test than the E8 that John also built? So no story here, just kudos to John for his fine work. He has completely outdone himself with these cars. They photograph well, but are even more impressive in person. The usual shot of an E8 on the diamonds with a hint of what is behind her.  This is some fine modeling.  This shot is courtesy of 'Tower CK'. He just happened to call when John was over. When he heard that John was visiting, and what he brought by, I think he drove his car fast enough to arrive almost before he left his house.  John even has rivet detail on the inside (!) of the vestibules. His custom made etching of the safety gates is about perfect.  And here is Mr. Capone's namesake car #2512 in all its glory. You can see the safety gate in the vestibule as well as the brake rigging details. The car sorta looks goofy, up on its high truck pedestals, but that was the design of the prototype. It worked. The actual cars served 50+ years, pulled by pacifics, atlantics, and the RI's mongrel roster of diesel commuter power. In the summer of 1978, the sight of a brand new RTA F40PH pulling these cars could be seen.  Just a beautiful model. Check out the brake rigging, also featuring some of John's etchings.  This is just us trying to get all artsy fartsy. The idea was to create a late afternoon/early evening view. While I like how the low light brings out the details, I'm not sure I am entirely pleased with the result. Of course, I blame my cheap, trashy camera.  And one more classic Joliet evening shot.  You want a story? It's a warm afternoon in 1974. It's been a long afternoon of railfanning at the quite famous location of Joliet Union Station. The Rockets have both gone west, the evening rush is over. UD Tower already knows that there are some freight trains waiting their turn through the plant. In fact, Bridge 407 is all set for a train that has already left Rockdale. Then there is a headlight over MC Tower way, in the east. The railfans are almost disappointed at the thought of another dummy train, as they had shot many pictures of the dummy parade that day. Theu are actually pleased to see E8 #654 on the train, as she has almost invariably run with the Rockets lately. It's a slow roll to the plant. The crew's day is almost over. UD lets 654 and its train of venerable coaches through the plant, making two Santa Fe freights cool their heels at their respective signal bridges. After the passengers have detrained, 654's crew will pull into a storage track, uncouple the E unit, and pull back through the plant to tie up at the Joliet engine house.  Thanks to John and Tom ('onequiknova' and 'Tower CK'). For video we shot that day, see the 'More Rock Island Youtube Silliness' thread'. Open letter to manufacturers, these cars would make a fine release.  |
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Post by onequiknova on Mar 30, 2014 7:11:41 GMT -8
Had a blast. Now let's get an op session going before the business of Spring gets here. |
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Post by GP40P-2 on Mar 30, 2014 10:55:00 GMT -8
RI Guys, that is some great work. Those commuter cars all jacked up on their trucks like that, are amazing works of art, and really a treat from the "usual." I am not really a fan of E units, but those are some nice units.
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Post by oldmuley on Mar 30, 2014 15:51:07 GMT -8
After a long search, I finally found a "two pack" of Rapido FP9a's for the Algoma Central.  I've finished weathering a few SW1500's for my layout as well.   |
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Post by tankcarsrule on Mar 30, 2014 16:23:00 GMT -8
 Another tank car, what else? Regards, Bobby  |
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Post by mlehman on Mar 30, 2014 18:16:18 GMT -8
After a long search, I finally found a "two pack" of Rapido FP9a's for the Algoma Central. Sweet lashup. I've got a soft spot for the AC. Didn't get to ride in that era, though. GP40sumthin when the wife and I rode, but it was a great ride. Took the Tour of the Line for our honeymoon trip...so you know she's a keeper. |
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Post by mlehman on Mar 30, 2014 18:18:04 GMT -8
Bobby, That monster really has a "Caution: Heavy Load" placard on it? I guess that's for the slow folks who think 4 trucks means two cars?  |
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Post by sd80mac on Mar 30, 2014 19:34:05 GMT -8
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Post by TBird1958 on Mar 30, 2014 19:45:44 GMT -8
Another tank car, what else? Regards, Bobby Fantastic work as always, Bobby! |
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Post by TBird1958 on Mar 30, 2014 19:45:57 GMT -8
Another tank car, what else? Regards, Bobby |
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Post by stevef45 on Mar 30, 2014 20:22:31 GMT -8
Continuing progress on 5 NYSW SD60's. Replaced the metal athearn conrail fllush db grill with the correct cannon grill.  Then worked on drilling thru the DW airfilters to allow piping to go thru it. Not an easy task, but did get 2 done.   This was my first attempt, didn't come out right at all. Once i got a decent shot of the prototype, i was able to get them mounted properly.  will try and finish the other 2 and repair the above one and then add the cutlevers. I will then do the ditchlights, whcih im dreading. |
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Post by mrsocal on Apr 2, 2014 6:22:10 GMT -8
I'm a bit late this week but everything looks good. Mike that Electra is looking proud to fly in your air space. I look forward to seeing your remodel of it.
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Post by fr8kar on Apr 2, 2014 15:20:25 GMT -8
Nice work! You chose some good colors. One thing I've noticed with ribside cars, particularly covered hoppers, is that the dirt doesn't seem to collect on the ribs nearly as much as on the panels between the ribs. I've speculated that this is because the dirt, dust and spillage on top of the car washes down between the ribs when it rains or snow melts but doesn't make it to the outside of the ribs because of the cap welded on top. Anyway, my quick way to mimic this effect is to weather the car normally, then use a drafting eraser to take off most of the weathering from the ribs. Here's an example (and my contribution for the week):  |
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Post by TBird1958 on Apr 2, 2014 16:23:27 GMT -8
Nice work! You chose some good colors. One thing I've noticed with ribside cars, particularly covered hoppers, is that the dirt doesn't seem to collect on the ribs nearly as much as on the panels between the ribs. I've speculated that this is because the dirt, dust and spillage on top of the car washes down between the ribs when it rains or snow melts but doesn't make it to the outside of the ribs because of the cap welded on top. Anyway, my quick way to mimic this effect is to weather the car normally, then use a drafting eraser to take off most of the weathering from the ribs. Here's an example (and my contribution for the week): Great job, that looks quite convicing! I spent a lot of time looking at how these cars weathered after IMR first released the 4750, as the panels that make up the car side are welded the flat members appear to take on a bit of wave or warp, causing the commodity or dirt for that matter to build up unevenly on the parts that bulge out. I've tried chalks to simulate it as well, since thet offer so much control. One of mine.  |
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Post by fr8kar on Apr 2, 2014 16:30:26 GMT -8
Wow, Tbird, that looks very nice. I can't stop staring at it!
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Post by tankcarsrule on Apr 2, 2014 16:30:31 GMT -8
Yes Mark, your hoppers were also my favorites. Good stuff!
Regards, Bobby
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